Uncurler guide for cup feed sewing machines



Jan. 18, 1944. F. A. KUCERA ET AL '2,339,574

UNCURLER GUIDE FOR CUP FEJED SEWING MACHINES Filed June 5. 1940 2Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENToRs:v Frank Kucera 3.

Robert Brock au KSLMZ.

ATTORNEYS.

Jn- 18, 1944. F. A. KucERA ETAL 2,339,574

UNCURLER GUIDE FOR CUP FEED SEWING MACHINES WITNESSES.- INVENTORS:

Frank .Hifi/:cera Zr.

l BY Robert rpcir,

N @mf @We A TTORNE YS Patented Jan. 18, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICEUNCURLER GUIDE FOR CUP FEED SEWING MACHINES Illinois Application June 5,1940, Serial No. 338,918

(Cl. 1l2-20) 14 Claims.

The invention relates to uncurler guides for cup feed sewing machinessuch as are commonly used to seam full fashioned stockings and the like.

In the usual types of uncurler guides, the clamp members between whichand a central tongue, the edges of the fabric are passed for removal ofthe natural edge curl before entering between the feed cups or wheels bywhich said edges are intermittently advanced and presented to the stitchforming instrumentalities of the machine. are suspended from horizontalhinge pivots and thus are capable only of parallel movement relative tothe tongue. Accordingly the clamp members cannot adapt themselvespositionally to variations in the thickness of the material beingseamed, and therefore fail at times to guide the material with accuracyand positiveness, particularly when the fabric is formed from hard andslippery yarn.

Our invention has for its chief aim to overcome the above drawback,which objective we attain as hereinafter more fully disclosed, bymounting the clamp members in such a way that they are free to move notonly in parallel relation to the central tongue of the uncurler guide,but about horizontal and vertical axes as well as thicknessirregularities pass between them and the tongue, to the end that thematerial is kept under definite control and its edges are uniformlyadvanced in a straight line by the feed cups to the stitchinginstrumentalities of the sewing machine.

Other objects and attendant advantages will appear from the followingdetailed description of the attached drawings, wherein Fig. 1 is afragmentary view showing, in front elevation, a cup feed sewing machineconveniently embodying the uncurler guide of our invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the machine looking from the left of Fig1,

Figs. 3 and 4 are detail cross sectional views of the uncurler guidedrawn to a larger scale and taken as indicated respectively by theangled arrows III-III and IV-IV in Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of one of the clamp members of the guide.

Figs. 6 and 7 are views corresponding to Figs. 1 and 2 showing analternative embodiment of our invention.

Fig. 8 is a detail View in section taken as indicated by the angledarrows'VIII-VIII in Fig, 6; and

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the central or tongue member of theguide shown in Figs. 6 and 7.

The sewing machine partly illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 is generally ofthe construction set forth in U, S, Patent No. 2,292,762, granted toFrank A.

Kucera on August 11, 1942, its overhanging frame arm being shown at I0and its peripherally-corrugated tangentially-opposedhorizontally-arranged feed cups or wheels at Il and I2. It is to beunderstood that the shafts I3 and i4 for the feed cups H and l2 pass upinto the frame portion Ill, and that they are intermittently rotated bysuitable mechanism within the machine housing in timed relation with theendwise reciprocations of the horizontal needle indicated at I5. It isto be further understood that suitable instrumentalities including anover-edge looper cooperate with the needle l5 as in the patent supra, informing an over-edge seam. Supported by the overhanging frame arm I 0 atthe front of the machine with capacity for vertical adjustment by aregulating means IB, is a block Il which carries a bearing i8 for ashort transverse shaft I9. Aflixed to one end of the shaft I9 is acollar 2D whereto our improved uncurler guide, comprehensivelydesignated by the numeral 2l, is secured. On the opposite end of theshaft I9 are mounted notched cam disks 22 and 23, which, by cooperationwith a spring pressed dog or detent 24, serve to hold the uncurler guidein the normal position in which it is shown in Figs. 1 and 2, or invarious retracted angular positions in the manner shown and explained inthe hereyinbefo-re referred to patent.

In the form illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, our improved uncurler guide 2|includes a central tongue member 25 of relatively thin but stiff sheetmetal. As sho-wn, the tongue 25 is secured at its upper end by aplurality of rivets 48, to an attaching plate 21, which, at the back,has a transverse ridge 28 fitting into a transverse recess 2S in apendant arm projection 30 on the collar 20 and which is removablysecured to said projection by cap screws 3|. The lower end of the tongue25 has the form of a boot, with its toe 26 extending rearwardly of thedirection of feeding indicated by the arrow in Fig. 2. Arranged atopposite sides of the tongue 2'5 are clamp members 32 and 33 which haveconfiguration similar to that of the tongue but which are of smallerdimensions. The vtee ends 34 of the clamp members 32 and 33 curveoutwardly las at 35', to facilitate entry between them and thecontiguous side faces of the tongue 25, of the selvage edges E (Figs. 3and 4) of the stocking fabric S which are to be united, The upper edgesof the toe ends 34 of the clamp members 32 and 33 are upwardly roundedas at 36 so as to engage within the curls C of the fabric edges E andAto gradually flatten them out before they are presented to the stitchingneedle I5 under the progressing action of the feed cups l l and I2. Eachclamp member 32 and 33 has apertures 3i and 38, one in its upper orshank portion, and the other in its heel portion` which respectivelyengage over round-ended stud projections 39 and 40 at opposite sides ofthe central tongue 25, `the last mentioned stud projections constitutinga top guide for the fabric edges as clearly shown in Fig. 2. It is to beparticularly noted from Figs. 3 and 4 that the apertures 31 and 38 are-considerably larger than the studs 39 and 45. Each clamp member 32, 33is moreover formed in its top edge with a notch 4! for loose verticalsliding guidance by additional stud projections 42 at opposite sides ofthe central tongue 25. Secured at its lower end to the outer side ofeach clamp member 32, 33 approximately at the center by a screw 43, isan outwardly bowed leaf spring 45, which, adjacent its free upper end,has a vertical slot 46 for capacity to engage over the correspondingstud projection 39 on the tongue 25, said slot being considerably widerthan said projection as will be readily seen from Figs. 2, 3 and 4. Alsofrom Figs. 2 and 5, it is important to note that the bow springs 45taper downwardly toward their lower ends so as to have minimum contactarea with the clamp members 32, 33 at the region of their anchorage bythe screws 43. As shown in Fig. l, the studs 39 are threaded for thumbnuts 4l whereby the pressing action of the springs 45 upon the clampmembers 32 and 33 may be accurately regulated. For convenience and easeof construction, the studs 39, 39, 45, 4E! and 42, 42 are formedrespectively from single pins which are passed through the tongue 254and suitably anchored in the latter at their centers.

Due to loose fit between the apertures 31, 38 and the notches 4l in theclamp members 32, 33 and the studs 39, 40 and projections 42, and byreason of the connection ofthe spring 45 to the clamp membersapproximately at the centers of the latter, said members are accordedcapacity for limited independent universal movement relative to thecenter tongue 25.

Asa consequence, the clamp members are able to adapt themselvespositionally to variations in the thickness of the passing fabric edgesas instanced in Fig. 4, where the toes of said members are riding thethickened reinforced heel portions H of the stocking, while their heelsare riding the thinner portions F of the stocking sole. Sidewise rockingof the clamp members 32 and 33, will be yieldingly resisted by torsionalaction of the springs 45, since no relative motion between the lower endof the spring and its clamp member is possible.

In the alternative embodiment of our invention, shown in Figs. 6 9, thecenter tongue of the uncurler and its attaching plate 21a are integrallyformed, and the clamp members 32a, 33a held to central position inrespect to the studs 35a by guide pins B and 5I which are so spaced asto allow the requisite freedom of movement of said members for theirpositional adaptation to fabric thickness variations. Another departurefrom the first described embodiment will be observed in that the bowsprings, 45a are pierced adjacent their upper ends to loosely engagestud projections 52 on the attaching plate 21a of the central tongue,while their opposite ends bear against the outer sides of the clampmembers 32a, 33a at regions somewhat above the level of the studs 40a.In all other respects the construction of the alternative embodiment ofour invention is like the lst described form. Therefore, in order topreclude duplicity in description corresponding parts are-designated bythe same reference characters previously employed, except for theaddition in each intsance of the exponent a for convenience of readydistinction.

Having thus described our invention, we claim:

l. An uncurler guide for cup feed sewing machines comprising a flatcentral tongue; flat fabric clamping members respectively at oppositesides of the central tongue; means whereby the clamping members aresupported with capacity for limited universal movement relative to theside faces of the tongue, so that they may adapt themselves positionallyto variations in the fabric edges passed between them and the side facesof said tongue; a pair of bowed leaf springs each with one end bearingon the tongue and the other end bearing on the outside of one of theclamping members to urge the latter yieldingly toward the tongue; andabutments against which the springs bear intermediate their ends, saidabutments being adjustably supported by said tongue so that the pressureof the springs may be varied.

2. An uncurler guide for cup feed sewing machines comprising a flatcentral tongue; lateral stud projections at opposite sides of thetongue; at clamping members having apertures of a size to t loosely overthe stud projections so that said members may have the capacity forlimited universal movement to adapt themselves positionally to thicknessvariations in the fabric edges passed between them and the tongue; andmeans for yieldingly urging the clamping members toward the tongue,including bowed leaf springs with openings in them to respectively clearthe stud projections with looseness, said springs being secured at oneend to the out-sides of the re spective clamping members approximatelyat the centers of the latter, and abutments adjustable along the studprojections to regulate the pressure of the springs.

3. An uncurler guide for cup feed sewing machines comprising a flatcentral tongue; lateral stud projections at opposite sides of thetongue; nat clamping members having apertures of a size to fit looselyover the stud projections so that said members may have the capacity forlimited universal movement to adapt themselves positionally to thicknessvariations in the fabric edges passed between them and the tongue; andmeans for yieldingly urging the clamping members toward the tongueincluding bowed leaf springs with medially located apertures torespectively clear the stud projections with looseness, said springsbearing at one end upon the out-sides ofthe tongue member and at theother end upon the out-sides of the respective clamping members, andabutments adjustable along the stud projections to regulate the pressureof the springs.

4. An uncurler guide for cup feed sewing machines comprising a centraltongue, fabric clamp.- ing members respectively at opposite sides of thetongue; means whereby each clamping member is supported with capacityfor accommodating itself to variations in the thickness of the fabricpassing between it and the tongue while maintaining uniform pressureover thev clamped area of the fabric; arcuate leaf springs individuallysecured at one end to the out-sides of the respective clamping members;and abutments carried by the tongue against which the leaf springs bear.

5. An uncurler guide according to claim 4, in which the abutments areindividually adjustable to vary the pressure of the respective springs.

6. An uncurler guide for cup feed sewing machines comprising a centraltongue; fabric clamping members respectively at opposite sides of thetongue; means whereby each clamping member is supported with capacityfor accommodating itself to variations in the thickness of the fabricpassing between it and the tongue while maintaining uniform pressureover the clamped area of the fabric; a pair of bowed leaf springs eachwith one end bearing on the tongue and the other end bearing on theout-side of one of the clamping members to urge the latter yieldinglytoward the tongue; and abutments against which the respective springsbear intermediate their ends, said abutments being adjustably supportedby said tongue so that the pressure of the springs may be varied.

7. An uncurler guide for cup feed sewing machines comprising a centraltongue; lateral stud projections at opposite sides of the tongue;clamping members at opposite sides of the tongue each having an apertureof a size to t loosely over the stud projections so that it canaccommodate itself to variations in the thickness of the fabric passingbetween it and the tongue while maintaining uniform pressure over theclamped area of the fabric; and means for yieldingly urging the clampingmembers toward the tongue including leaf springs with openings in themto respectively clear the stud projections with 1oose ness, each suchspring being secured at one end to the out-side of the correspondingclamping member, and abutments -adjustable along the stud projections toregulate the pressure of the springs.

8. An uncurler guide for cup feed sewing machines comprising a centraltongue; lateral stud projections at opposite sides of the tongue;clamping members at opposite sides of the tongue each having an apertureof a size to fit loosely over said stud projections so that it canaccommodate itself to variations in the thickness of the fabric passingbetween it and the tongue while maintaining uniform pressure over theclamped area of the fabric; and means for yieldingly urging the clampingmembers toward the tongue including leaf springs with medially spacedapertures to respectively clear the stud projections with looseness,each such spring bearing at one end upon the out-side of the tonguemember and at the other end upon the out-side of the correspondingclamping member, and abutments adjustable along the stud projections toregulate the pressure of the springs.

9. An uncurler guide for cup feed sewing machines comprising a flatcentral tongue; flat fabric clamping members respectively at oppositesides of the tongue; means for supporting the clamping members withcapacity for limited universal movement relative to the side faces ofthe tongue so that they can adapt themselves positionally to variationsin continuous fabric edges passing between them and said side faces;arcuate leaf springs secured at one end to the outsides o-f therespective clamping members approximately at the centers of the latterover relatively small restricted areas and abutments carried by thetongue against which the opposite ends of the leaf springs bear, saidabutments being adjustable to vary the pressure of the springs.

10. An uncurler guide for cup feed sewing machines comprising a centraltongue; fabric clamping members at opposite sides of the tongue betweenwhich members and tongue separate continuous fabric edges are passed;means for supporting the clamping members from the tongue with capacityfor individual angular movement relative to the respective contiguous'sides of said tongue in the direction of fabric feeding, so that saidclamping members can adapt themselves to thickness variations in therespective fabric edges while bearing fully on said edges; bow springswith corresponding ends thereof engaging the respective clampingmembers; and adjustable abutments engaged by the intermediate portionsof said springs.

11. An uncurler guide for cup feed sewing machines comprising a centraltongue; fabric clampnig members at opposite sides of the tongue betweenwhich members and tongue separate continuous fabric edges are passed;means for supporting the clamping members loosely with capacity forindividual angular movement relative to the contiguous'sides of saidtongue in the direction of fabric feeding, so that said members canadapt themselves to thickness variations in the respective fabric edgeswhile bearing fully on said edges; bow springs withv corresponding endsthereof engaging the respective clamping members; and adjustableabutments engaged by the intermediate portions of said springs.

12. An uncurler guide for cup feed sewing machines comprising a centraltongue; studs eX- tending laterally from opposite sides of the tongue;clamping members at opposite sides of the tongue between which membersand tongue separate continuous fabric edges are passed, each such memberhaving an aperture of a size to t loosely over the corresponding stud;means for supporting the clamping members with capacity for individualangular movement relative to the contiguous sides of the tongue in thedirection of fabric feeding, so that said members, can adapt themselvesto thickness variations in the respective fabric edges while bearingfully on said edges; bow springs with corresponding ends thereofengaging the respective clamping members; and adjustable abutmentsengaged by the intermediate portions of said springs.

13. An uncurler guide for cup feed sewing machines, comprising a centraltongue; clamping members at opposite'sides of the tongue; bowed springswith corresponding ends thereof engaging the respective clampingmembers; and adjustable abutments engaged by the intermediate portionsof said springs.

14. An uncurler guide for cup feed sewing machines comprising a centraltongue; fabric clamping members respectively at opposite sides of thetongue; means lwhereby each clamping member is supported with capacityfor adapting itself to variations in the thickness of the fabric passingbetween it and the tongue while maintaining uniform pressure over theclamped area of the fabric; a pair of associated bowed leaf springs eachwith one end bearing on the tongue and the other end bearing on theout-side of one 0f the clamping members; and separate spring compressingdevices supported by the tongue and engaging the intermediate portionsof the springs for urging the clamping members into yielding engagementwith said tongue.

FRANK A. KUCERA. ROBERT BROCK.

